AUS Aboriginal hand axe

[Tim Simmons]

Thank you josh. There is a great deal of debate about the use of stone implements like this. Students and collectors find many hand axes at campsite assemblages that show no sign of use wear which can lead to problems in cataloging finds. Signs of use may depend on what materials the axe was used on. This hand axe appears to be of quartzite which would not hold a fine sharp cutting edge like flint/chert or greenstone. I think a common sense view as a general forming to cutting tool is the answer. A fine sharp blade would be good for chopping and stripping large sections of bark from trees. I can see this stone being used to chop bone in sections in readiness for fine work with other tools. It could be used to roughly work many materials.

Use as a weapon, quote F. D. MaCarthy, Australian Aboriginal Stone Implements.


Missile Stones- natural stones of a convenient shape were thrown at game and enemies. Cook's landing parties at Botany Bay were attacked with them. No specially shaped types are known.

If you have grown up throwing stones as a weapon, then held as shown it would be a deadly weapon.